Header by Cristian Bortes (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr
Palma is a beautiful resort city and capital of the Spanish island Majorca, which is located off the coast of Spain in the western part of the Mediterranean.
This beautiful coastal city is known as a hot destination for tourists who want a relaxing beach vacation with an infusion of history.
Dating back to the 13th century, Palma has a rich Gothic history, and many of the city’s buildings maintain their original baroque influence. Honeycolored stone and medieval streets makes for an incredibly unique look for a beach city.
Despite being a historic town, Palma has a modern soul, with an endless list of modern culture, entertainment and gastronomy.
There are a lot of things you can do in Majorca, though you’ll want to spend time in Palma if you’re a beach lover and / or history buff.
When you arrive at Palma airport the easiest and often cheapest way to get to the center or your accommodation is with a private airport transfer. Solhop allows you to prebook via their website, lock in the price, and to pay in cash or card at your destination.
Things to do in Palma Majorca
Visit the Gothic Cathedral
The La Seu cathedral is an interesting place to visit based on its architecture alone.
A magnificent building with honey colored sandstone that seems to rise out of the sea, this is an 800 year old symbol of the might of the Christian conquerors who arrived in Majorca by sea. It is a dominant building that took 600 years to build, and it’s impossible to miss it.
The cathedral combines a number of different styles, from Gaudi’s signature architecture on the interior to the stained glass windows which are a focal point for the cathedral.
Visiting the cathedral isn’t expensive, you can get in for a little as €4. It’s well worth the walk around this beautiful structure, especially if you have an appreciation for architecture.
Photos by Cristian Bortes (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr
Visit the Arab Baths
As you move on from the Cathedral and make your way through the maze of streets of the medieval quarter, you may stumble across an ancient bath house dating back to the time the Moors were in charge.
During the 10th century Palma was an Arab city known as Medina Mayuraq. Despite the widespread destruction of the Moors when King James invaded in the 12th century, there still remains pieces of the past that are tucked away on this island gem.
The Arab Baths were only rediscovered in the 20th century, and are virtually all that remain of the Arab city of Medina. They’re a mashup of architectural styles, having been built with materials salvaged from the ruins of previous periods (Muslim, Byzantine and Roman capitals).
You can enjoy this beautiful piece of history for mere €2.50, making it an affordable stop while you’re in Majorca.
Enjoy the Beach
No trip to Majorca would be complete without a visit to the beach. If you’ll be in Palma on a Sunday, this may be the perfect time for a beach day, as most other attractions close on this day.
There are plenty of family hotels in majorca that overlook the pristine waters and beautiful sands, so you don’t have to worry about a long commute to the water.
Simply wake up, put on your suit, and take a quick stroll to the beach to see why so many people flock to Majorca for their family vacations.
You can find a list of Iberostar hotels for your family vacation online to make booking easy.
Image by Andrés Nieto Porras (CC BY-SA 2.0) via Flickr
Visit Old Town
If you’re interested in immersing yourself in Majorca’s culture, take a stroll through its Old Town, which is lined with cobbled streets, old archways, and beautiful squares.
You may even stumble across an old medieval church or two, which further illustrates their beautiful, rich, Gothic-influenced past. Train your eye to pick on the small details like ancient doorways as you make your way past aristocratic townhouses in each neighborhood.
You’ll find plenty of souvenirs in Old Town, such as traditional Majorcan baskets, their famed ensaimadas from their many bakeries, and man-made Majorcan pearls, one of their most well-known export.
When you’re finished shopping, stop at one of their many restaurants to enjoy the Spanish tradition of tapas.
Image by Tommie Hansen (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr
Visit Casal Solleric
If you’re an art lover, you won’t want to miss Casal Solleric, a former palace from the Baroque period that’s since been converted into an art museum.
You’ll find the best in contemporary art from artists such as Frida Kahlo, Perez-Villalta, and Plessi, nestled inside this beautiful historic building that’s complete with gorgeous marble columns, a grand mezzanine, and intricate wrought iron staircases.
Entry into this beautiful museum is free, making it an easy place to add to your list of things to do while in Majorca.
Stop by Castell de Bellver
The Castell de Bellver is a beautiful circular tower that offers a breathtaking 360° view of Majorca. The site is aptly named, with Bellever in Catalan meaning ‘lovely view’.
Its architecture has Roman, Spanish, and Arab influences, making it an interesting destination if you’re into historic buildings with a rich culture. There is also a museum that displays a range of artefacts from each of these civilizations.
If you’re up for a climb and have €4 for admission, this tower is well worth the visit.
Photos by Cristian Bortes (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr
Check out Cuevas del Drach
Cuevas del Drach, known in English as the Dragon Caves, is a short trip away from Majorca and one of their most interesting attractions.
Discovered in the 19th century on the edge of Porto Cristo on the east coast of the island, this is a very affordable day trip, starting at €8 for children and €15 for adults.
You’ll find beautiful natural stalagmites and stalactites as well as Europe’s largest underground lake. Quite alien like in appearance, the formations only grow around 1 cm every 100 years, though certain regions of the cave have grown in such a way that resembles a flag, and a snowcapped mountain.
At the end of your tour you’ll float through Lake Martel for an underground violin concert. This concert has been offered since 1935 and is backed by the ethereal sound of dripping water that constantly seeps into the cave.
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Megan is an Australian Journalist and award-winning travel writer who has been blogging since 2007. Her husband Mike is the American naturalist and wildlife photographer behind Waking Up Wild; an online magazine dedicated to opening your eyes to the wonders of the wild & natural world.
Having visited 50+ countries across all seven continents, Megan’s travels focus on cultural immersion, authentic discovery and incredible journeys. She has a strong passion for ecotourism, and aims to promote responsible travel experiences.
34 Comments
Palma looks beautiful! I have never been there. When I was a kid I went to Mallorca a few times on family holiday, but we didnt visit Palma.
Perfect excuse to plan a holiday :D
I didn’t make it to Cuevas del Drach, but did sample must of the rest. A caveat- DON’T go to Palma on Sunday. Too much is closed.
Perfect excuse for a return trip! Great point on taking stock of most places closing down on a Sunday, I’ll make an edit in the article to mention that Sunday is usually better as a beach day :)
I love Mallorca so much. It’s one of the most beautiful places in Europe
Glad to hear you had a fabulous time Razouk, it’s definitely one of those places that steals your heart!
Is Mallorca and Majorca the same place?
Yes they’re the same place; the only difference is that Majorca is the English version of the Spanish spelling Mallorca :)
Palma as it is a beautiful, historic city. We had 5 hours to explore on our last cruise and during our port we visited the Le Seu Cathedral and wandered around the city itself. Was a highlight for sure, and will definitely be going back for more time at some stage.
Sounds like you had a great intro to the city – hope you have the chance to plan a return trip again soon :)
Palma isn’t a beach resort. It’s a city. You’d need to get a bus to the nearest decent beach (or have quite a long walk).
The beach and the cultural center of the city are definitely not close to each other, but I would say they both equally form part of the city’s identity. Ca’n Pere Antoni particularly with those views of the Cathedral :)
Sounds like an authentic beautiful city :)
Absolutely Charli! You’ll fall in love, it’s such a mesmerizing place :)
Whats the best beach close to the cruise port?
Hi Stephani, its a 10-15 min taxi to Palma Nova, ask to get dropped off at Mc Donalds right on the beach :)
Planning a week holiday in November – will the weather be warm enough for beach? Possibly to cool to sunbathe by the pool?
Hi D, the temperature is really cooling down in November, you’re probably looking at around 14°C. Maybe not warm enough for actual swimming, but you could definitely enjoy walks along the beach. Highs of up to 19°C if you’re lucky :)
Have a great trip!
La Lonja is our favourite area of Palma, right in the historic centre :)
Glad you had a fabulous time Linda! I agree, a great area :)
We went last year in August and it was SO hot and SO busy. felt like a proper Spanish Mediterranean city. We’ll likely try and head back for another trip in another months when the temps are cooler. It is a beautiful city, but hard to enjoy when it’s that hot and that many tourists.
I’ve always loved shoulder season to be honest, hits that nice balance of inbetween where mass tourism is transitioning out and the temps are still hot but a lot cooler. Hope it’s a bit more comfortable on your next trip … sounds like you still had a fab time though! :)
I love Palma! We would go every year as a family. My parents stopped paying for us all when we hit about 20 though sadly!
They’re probably waiting for you guys to start taking them :D
thnak for sharing
You’re welcome Anh, glad you enjoyed the post :)
Very informative post on visiting Palma. I became hooked on the place a while ago,and never want to leave Palma now! You have mentioned some very nice places to visit. thank you
Palma definitely has that effect – re falling head over heels in love with the place! So glad to hear you’ve been enjoying your time there. Thanks for reading :)
Palma looks like a nice place to spend a weekend .how is the nightlife like in Palma. Thankyou
For sure :) Nightlife wise you’ve got many bars and nightclubs throughout Palma but the beach resorts perhaps have the best bar scene in the summer. The Old Town has great local haunts :)
Hey!, We are planning on going from july 30, 2019 to Aug. 5,2019. do you think that’s enough time to explore. What are the must do that you think for this short period. I love to hear back from you. and Which hotels you recommend as well.
Hi Kiro, thanks for reading :) 6 days in Majorca is a great amount of time; I think you only really need two – three days for exploring Palma itself, and then you could use the rest of the time to take day trips to see the rest of the island (while still basing yourself in Palma for the whole time).
The must dos in Palma I would recommend would be those outlined in the post above; see the Cathedral, the Arab Baths, set time aside for the beach, the Old Town, Castell de Bellver and Cuevas del Drach.
For day trips I have this post with info on the best: https://www.mappingmegan.com/day-trips-from-palma-majorca-mallorca/
Hotels to recommend will really depend on your budget – are you after budget accommodation, mid range hotels, or happy to spend on luxury?
Hope that helps!
Hey,we are for a day in Palma while on a Royal Caribbean cruise,is it possible to do both drach caves and palma citu in 8 hours?
Hi Preety, to get to drach caves from Palma is an hour there and an hour back. The tours start every hour from 10 am – 5 pm and take and hour. Only so many tickets are sold every hour, so I would highly recommend booking them in advance, otherwise if you keep it for when you arrive you may find that you have up to an hour to wait for the start of the tour.
So all up, the caves will take 3 hours if on time, I would probably give yourself extra time for flexibility and just assume they will take 4 hours all up. That would leave you with 4 hours to explore the city and get back to the boat which should give you enough time to do some brief sightseeing around the city, take in the cathedral etc. So definitely doable, but the city tour would be more brief than if you were spending a full day going from place to place.
Hope that helps! And hope you have an amazing time in Palma :)